Associate Legal Officer - 26310-FT_LT

World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO; Genf; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO is seeking a legal professional to contribute to the legal development and geographical expansion of the Hague System. The role involves legal research, drafting, and advisory support to design right-holders and Hague Operations Service.

The incumbent will work under the Director of the Hague Legal and Treaty Promotion Division, participate in pre- and post-accession activities, and represent the Organization at international meetings.

Qualifications

• First-level university degree in law with IP specialization.
• Post-graduate degree in intellectual property law.
• At least three years of professional experience in IP law, including international design law.
• Experience working with the Hague System.
• Experience in a national or regional IP office.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Good knowledge of Spanish or French.

Responsibilities

• Undertake legal research and support the preparation of documents for the Working Group and the Hague Union Assembly.
• Prepare initial legal advice to design right-holders and Hague Operations Service.
• Conduct legal research and prepare initial drafts of material concerning implementation and development of the Hague System; update such material.
• Prepare preliminary legal analysis on alignment of prospective member laws with the Hague System.
• Prepare initial drafts of pre- and post-accession material; support pre-accession consultations and post-accession legal training for offices of new Hague members.
• Represent the Organization at conferences, seminars and meetings with offices of Contracting Parties and users of the Hague System; prepare presentations and lectures.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Analytical skills

Legal drafting

Communication

Networking

Interpersonal skills

AI-enabled tools

Education

Bachelor degree in law with IP specialization

Post-graduate degree in intellectual property law

Tools

AI-enabled tools

Job description

Hague Legal and Treaty Promotion Division, The Hague Registry, Brands and Designs Sector

Contract Duration - 2 years (maximum cumulative length of 5 years) *

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Application Deadline: 25-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Hague Legal and Treaty Promotion Division of the Hague Registry. The Division plays a lead role towards enhancing the global positioning and wider and more effective use of the Hague System through the expansion of its membership base and the optimal and continuing development of its legal framework, mainly through Hague Working Group meetings. The Division also provides legal advice to existing and prospective Hague members, as well as to design right-holders and the Hague Operations Service.

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent contributes to the legal development and geographical expansion of the Hague System through legal research, drafting of selected material and preliminary advisory support.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Division.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

Hague System Governance and Legal advice:

• a. Undertake research and support the preparation of documents and the organization of meetings of the Working Group and the Hague Union Assembly.
• b. Prepare initial legal advice to design right-holders and Hague Operations Service.

Accession Support and Representation:

• a. Conduct legal research and prepare initial drafts of selected legal material concerning the implementation and legal development of the Hague System; ensure the regular updates of such material.
• b. Prepare preliminary legal analysis and advice on the alignment of prospective Hague member domestic laws with the Hague System.
• c. Prepare initial drafts of dedicated pre- and post-accession material; support the organization of, and participate in, pre-accession consultations with prospective Hague members and post-accession legal training and activities for Offices of new Hague members.
• d. Represent the Organization and participate at the appropriate level in conferences, seminars and other meetings with Offices of Contracting Parties and users of the Hague System; prepare presentations and deliver lectures.
• e. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

First-level university degree in law, international relations or other related discipline, with a specialization in intellectual property law.

Post-graduate degree in intellectual property law.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of professional experience in intellectual property law, including experience in industrial design law at the international level.

Experience of working with the Hague System.

Professional experience working within a national or regional IP office.

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Good knowledge of Spanish or French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Good knowledge of the international IP system.
• Knowledge of the Hague system and its procedures.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to draft legal texts and communicate complex legal subject-matter to a diverse audience.
• Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, databases, information management systems, and online collaboration platforms. Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies

1. 1. Communicating effectively.
2. 2. Showing team spirit.
3. 3. Demonstrating integrity.
4. 5. Producing results.
5. 6. Showing service orientation.
6. 7. Seeing the big picture.
7. 8. Seeking change and innovation.
8. 9. Developing yourself and others.